Knifepoint robbery suspect, 15, caught after police pursuit: police column

The vehicle did stop eventually, when it collided with a lamp-post. The driver tried to run from the damaged car. When he was caught, the driver was found to be aged just 15 – and also suspected of being involved in some knifepoint robberies.

This was one of a number of incidents in the last month involving vehicle crime.

On November 20, officers pursued a vehicle in Wheatley. The driver abandoned the car after driving in a dangerous manner, after our officers effectively contained him. The driver was found some time later after a search of gardens. The vehicle is believed to have been stolen.

We have also made important arrests relating to burglaries involving theft of cars.

In Cantley and Bessacarr areas over the past month, there have been incidents where houses have been entered and the ignition keys taken, leading to the owners high value vehicle being taken.

We have tackled this issue with a combination of overt and covert patrols which over the past month has led to some excellent results.

This included the recovery of five stolen vehicles with a total value of around £65,000. We also recovered another vehicle being used by criminals which was on false plates.

Seven people have been arrested on suspicion of burglaries in these areas and four were arrested for taking a vehicle without consent, possession of over £1,500 worth of drugs with intent to supply, a domestic assault and a court warrant.

Of the seven arrested for burglary, four were believed to be involved in stealing the owner’s vehicle.

On October 24, occupants of a house on Thorne Road alerted us to a person climbing up the drainpipe of a property. Officers promptly responded and a male was detained with a significant injury to his left hand. He was subsequently arrested and charged with attempted burglary.

We have recovered a number of cannabis plants in the past month. On October 28 we found 60 cannabis plants while attending a domestic incident in Balby. A man was charged with cultivation of the plants and taking electricity.